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The ghee allegedly used to prepare the famous Tirupati Laddu prasadam was manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, palmolein and several chemicals before being supplied as cow ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged.
The federal agency’s findings have emerged as part of its investigation into the alleged fraudulent supply of adulterated ghee to TTD between 2019 and 2024.
According to the ED, the alleged fraudulent supplies during this period were valued at Rs 230 crore, of which Rs 96 crore worth of adulterated ghee was allegedly manufactured by Kailash Chand Mangla, promoter of Sukriti Foods Pvt Ltd.
The ED made the allegations after arresting Mangla in the case.
WHAT WAS THE GHEE ALLEGEDLY MADE OF?
According to the
ED, the adulterated ghee allegedly used for preparing Tirupati Laddu prasadam was manufactured using refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, and Palmolein, along with various chemicals.
The agency specifically named MG-90, Monoglycerides, Myvacet Soft 400 and Acetic Acid Ester among the chemicals allegedly used in the manufacturing process.
The ED said the resulting product was subsequently supplied as “Agmark Special Grade Cow Ghee” for supply to TTD.
In its statement, the agency said the ghee was allegedly manufactured using these ingredients and chemicals before being supplied under the description of cow ghee.
RS 230 CRORE IN ALLEGED FRAUDULENT SUPPLIES
The ED said its investigation relates to alleged fraudulent supplies of ghee to TTD between 2019 and 2024.
According to the agency, the total value of these alleged fraudulent supplies was Rs 230 crore.
The ED further alleged that out of this, Rs 96 crore of adulterated ghee was manufactured by Mangla at his factory premises.
The agency described Mangla as one of the alleged co-conspirators in the case. It alleged that he facilitated the procurement of adulterants and manufactured adulterated ghee at his factory.
HOW WAS THE ALLEGED ADULTERATED GHEE SUPPLIED?
The ED alleged that Mangla coordinated the supply of the adulterated ghee through various entities that it described as front entities.
The agency named Sri Vyshnavi Dairy Specialities Pvt Ltd, Malganga Milk and Agro Products Pvt Ltd and AR Dairy Foods Pvt Ltd.
According to the ED, Mangla also allegedly created and maintained false records concerning the sale and purchase of ghee and refined palm oil.
The agency alleged that the purpose of maintaining these records was to conceal the actual use of adulterants and create an appearance of legitimate production and supply of genuine cow ghee.
The ED said Mangla’s alleged role involved not only the manufacture of the adulterated product but also the procurement of the substances used as adulterants and coordination of its subsequent supply.
WHAT IS THE TIRUPATI LADDU CONNECTION?
The allegations are significant because the ghee in question was allegedly supplied to TTD for use in preparing Tirupati Laddu prasadam.
The ED said the adulterated ghee was allegedly presented as Agmark Special Grade Cow Ghee despite being manufactured using palm oils and the chemicals identified by the agency.
The allegations form part of a case in which the ED is investigating the alleged fraudulent supply of adulterated ghee to TTD.
ED ARRESTS SUKRITI FOODS PROMOTER
As part of the investigation, the ED’s Hyderabad zonal office arrested Kailash Chand Mangla on September 17 under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The agency said Mangla was subsequently produced before the Special Court (PMLA) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which remanded him to judicial custody.
The ED said its investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered at Tirupati East Police Station.
The FIR allegedly concerns criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption related to the fraudulent supply of adulterated ghee to TTD.
The agency had earlier arrested Vipin Jain, promoter and director of Bhole Baba Organic Dairy Milk Pvt Ltd, whom it has alleged was involved in orchestrating the manufacture and fraudulent supply of adulterated ghee to TTD.
The ED’s allegations against Mangla and others are part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged adulteration and fraudulent supply of ghee.
